The festival of colours and masti is just a week away. And all those who are tired of acting prim and proper throughout the year, here’s your chance to unwind at these holi bashes in town.

The festival of colours and masti is just a week away. And all those who are tired of acting prim and proper throughout the year, here’s your chance to unwind at these holi bashes in town. From colouring up the traditional way with gulaal, indulging in gujias, dancing to dhol beats, getting completely drenched to the subtle version of the fest with flowers and chandan (sandalwood powder), the city is hosting a variety of Holi bashes. Take your pick from these seven holi parties kicking off from today and soak up some fun.

Holi Cow! FestivalThis is for those of you with a wild streak. The Holi Cow festival gets madder and fatter this year with more than 40 bands performing across three different stages at the venue. The festival will see performances by bands like Goatika, Shair + Funk, Akhil and Nasha and Tritha electric with Folk-O-Rama friends. Known for coming up with something wild and whacky every year, the bash will have a very kitsch Bob Marley in an Indian village look.USP: Fusing music. Biggest and wildest holi bash in town When: March 27Time: 12 noon onwards Where: Zorba, MG Road, SultanpurContact: pedroisacow@gmail.com ; 09810116460

Rang 2013 This carnival promises to live up to its reputation with performances by international electronic music artists like Dub FX, Ace Ventura, Liquid Soul and EMOK. Indian bands including Smash Nasty, Reggae Rajahs and Audiogramme will also be playing. So get ready to let your hair down at the rain dance. There will be organic colours, Rang drink and colourful pichkaris to pump up the fun. One can alsp participate in drinking games like beer pong and flip cup. USP: International and Indian EDM bands When: March 27 Time: 11am to 7pm Where: Hotel Lilywhite, ChattarpurContact: 9810172657

Raasrang holi utsavCurrently in its 7th edition, the Raasrang Holi Utsav brings to the Capital, Holi celebrations from different parts of India such as Assam, Rajasthan and Bihar. Bhojpuri dancers and singers will add a traditional touch to the celebrations while Rajasthani performers will put up Braj ki Lathmar — a mock battle between the sexes where women soundly beat the men with wooden sticks. Mayur dance, in which performers dance like a peacock to impress Lord Krishna, will also be performed.USP: Holi from across IndiaWhen: March 23, 24 Time: 5pm onwards Where: Dilli Haat Contact: 9810138020

Phoolon ki HoliThose who prefer the scent of flowers can begin their celebrations a day early on choti Holi by offering ‘cholia’ to the Holika Dahan (Bonfire). The ceremony will be followed by cultural performances by Charkula Arts Academy from Mathura ending with a phoolon ki barkha. Foodies can gorge on special Holi delicacies USP: Flower power, traditional dances and holi delicacies When: March 26Time: 7pm onwards Where: IHC, Lodhi Road and Epicentre, Sector 44, Gurgaon Contact: 011- 43663080

Andymania’s Holi festThe terrace of this café will be transformed into a holi ground with water balloons, colours and water guns. Rain dance and mini pools, along with six disc jockeys playing a range of techno, dub, electro and reggae tunes, will complete the feel. Drink all you can in the beer contest or play around in the wet t-shirt contest.USP: Rain dance and lots of fun activitiesWhen: March 27Time: 11am to 4pm Where: Café Ludus, MGF Metropolitan Mall, Saket, Contact: 9910636613

Shiva Squad Holi Festival Fans of electronic music can make their Holi colourful with five bands from around the world including Skazi — a psychedelic DJ from Israel, and Loopus in Fabula from Italy churning out some house and club tunes and Funk Phenomena pumping up the energy quotient. “This is the first time we are inviting international musicians for a holi bash,” says Varun Anand, organiser. There will be finger foods from the barbecue, beer and breezers and organic colours. USP: Electronic music When: March 27Time: 10am to 10pm Where: Sanskriti Greens, Bandh Road, Mehrauli Contact: 9873908088

Dhol Dhamaal MastiOrganised by a group of culture crazy youngsters from Intelligent Freak, this event will begin with a jamming session where everybody can bring their own instruments or even clap along as they sing some popular holi songs. After the jamming, it will be time to share vegetarian delicacies in the potluck, apply some herbal colours to each other and dance to the beats of dhol.USP: Jamming together, traditional dhol and potluck When: March 24Time: 4:30pm to 7:30pm Where: Sanjay Lake Park, Near INA Market Contact: 9953227975